Railway signal apparatus



y 13, 1969 w. o. REINITZ 3,444,512

RAILWAY SIGNAL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 28, 1966 Sheet of 2 11 from! y 1969 w. o. REINITZ 3,444,512

RAILWAY S IGNAL APPARATUS BY WlZZa'rd 0 Ranzzz United States Patent 3,444,512 RAILWAY SIGNAL APPARATUS Willard 0. Reinitz, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Railroad Accessories Corporation, 'Cresskill, NJ. Filed Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 530,492 Int. Cl. B611 29/28 US. Cl. 34047 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Railroad-highway crossing signal units each incorporating a stationary vertical lower mast surmounted by a vertical, rotatable upper mast connected to the top of the lower mast by mast-rotating means, with a signal-bearing cantilever arm extending over the highway from the top of the upper most, and with a separate, independent signal displayed on the stationary lower mast.

This invention relates to railway signal apparatus, more particularly it relates to a swing away railway crossing signal unit and a signal mast therefor.

The invention provides a vertical mast mounted to the side of an intersection of a roadway and a railroad right of way. The mast is divided into two portions; the bottom portion is fixed to the ground. Mounted thereto are flashing lamps and other crossing signals for warning pedestrians and motorists. A cantilever is mounted to the upper portion of the mast, normally over the roadway and has flashing lamps and, if desired, other pedestrian and motorist warning signals mounted thereto. The upper portion of the mast may be rotated with respect to the lower portion of the mast at a position above the fixed warning signals mounted to the lower portion of the mast for servicing the signals and signs mounted to the cantilever. A ladder is provided, normally mounted to the mast, that may be then used for servicing the signals and signs mounted to the cantilever.

Many railroad crossings are provided with flashing lamps for signalling motorists and pedestrians that a train is approaching or crossing the intersection. In most instances, such lamps have hithertofore been mounted on fixed vertical masts at the side of the roadway. However, in congested areas, just as it is desirable to suspend ordinary traffic signals directly over the intersection so that they may be distinguished from other signs and lights,

the same is true for railway crossing signals. Thus, according to the prior art, they are often suspended from a cantilever mounted to the upper portion of a vertical mast at the side of the railway crossing.

Such signal masts provide a major problem in servicing. If they are fixed, some means must be provided for access to the signals mounted at the end of the cantilever. If a catwalk is provided so that a man can walk the cantilever to the signals, the mast and cantilever must be greatly strengthened, becoming costly, large, and unsightly. If a ladder is used for access to the signals mounted to the cantilever, there is a danger that a maintenance crew may be injured by negligent motorists. There is also some danger that pedestrians or motor vehicles may be injured by the movement of the ladder to and away from the signals.

One prior art technique of avoiding these difiiculties has been to mount the vertical mast to a turntable base at or near ground level so that the entire mast may be rotated to rotate the cantilever 90", parallel to the roadway. There it may be serviced at the side of the road. Some difiiculties with this prior art technique are: Once the signals have been rotated, they are no longer operative to warn motorists of the approach or passage of trains. Because the turntable supports the entire mast and cantilever structure, it is a large and expensive unit. Because it is at or near ground level, it is attractive to vandals who often rotate the cantilever or injure the turntable unit making it inoperative.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved swing away railway crossing signal unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel signal mast for a swing away railway crossing signal unit of the above character.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a signal mast of the above character to which crossing signs and signals may be fixedly mounted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a railway signal mast of the above character to which a terminal box may be fixedly mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a railway signal mast of the above character to which a portable ladder may be mounted 'for storage and removed for use, where, when and as required.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a railway signal mast of the above character for supporting a cantilever that may be rotated through an angle of at least A still further object of the invention is to provide a railway crossing unit providing a high degree of safety to maintenance crews and highway users during maintenance or repair.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a railway crossing signal unit that is simple and pleasing in appearance.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a highway signal unit of the above character, the rotative parts of which are unobtrusive and practically vandal proof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal mast of the above character which is characterized by ease of rotation.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth. The scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the railway signal apparatus of the present invention showing how the cantilever thereof may be rotated through an angle of 90;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation, partly in cross section of the railway signal apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, partly in cross section, of the railway signal apparatus of FIGURE 1 and with the cantilever arm swung to its servicing position and with portable ladder in like position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross section, partially cut away, taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross section, partially cut away, taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

The same reference characters refer to the same elements throughout the several views of the drawings.

Now referring to FIGURES l and 2, the swing away railway crossing signal unit of the present invention is generally indicated at 20. It comprises a vertical mast, generally indicated at 22, and a horizontal cantilever, generally indicated at 24, mounted thereto. The mast 22 comprises two portions; upper mast 26 and a larger diameter lower mast 28. Upper mast 26 may be ro- 3 tated with respect to lower mast 28 at a pivot, generally indicated at 30. Lower mast 28 is fixed to the ground at base support 32. Thus, four flashing lamps 34 and signs 36 may be fixedly mounted to lower base 28. Four flashing lamps 38 may be mounted to a jury mast 40 at the end of cantilever 24.

In normal operation the cantilever 24 is left in the position shown in full lines in FIGURE 1 to suspend the flashing lamps 38 over the roadway 42 so that the cantilever 24 is parallel to the rail 43. For servicing, the upper mast 26 is rotated with respect to the lower mast 28 at the pivot 30 to the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. The lower signal lamps 34 and signs 36 do not rotate so that the crossing signal unit is still operative to warn motorists or pedestrians of the approach or passage of a railroad train. During servicing the flashing signals 38 are suspended at the side of the road 42, as shown in FIGURE 1. Road and railway traflic does not present a danger to maintenance and repair crews, nor does the activity of the crews interfere with traflic or pedestrians or present any danger thereto. A ladder 44 is mounted to the fixed lower section of mast 28 so that maintenance crews need be provided with a minimum of equipment for servicing the signal unit 20.

More specifically and still referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a base support 32 may be formed to one or more cast pieces mounted to a concrete foundation block 46 to the side of the roadway 42 by means of bolts 48. Lower mast 28 may be, for example, an eight inch diameter aluminum pipe twelve feet, six inches long. It may be clamped in base support 32 by means of bolts 58. A standard signal terminal box 60 is mounted thereto, for example by straps 62. Wiring may be contained within the mast 28. Signs 36 are mounted to the mast by means of straps or clamps 64. The ladder 44 may be supported to the lower mast 28 by means of hooks 66 fitted into holes (not shown) in clamps or straps 68. A hasp 70 is mounted to a rung of the ladder 44 and engages a staple 72 welded to the lower mast 28 (see FIGURE 3) so that the ladder may be secured thereto by means of a padlock (not shown).

Again referring to FIGURES l and 2, fixed flashing lamps 34 are mounted to the lower mast 28 by means of conventional arms and straps or clamps generally indicated at 74. Cantilever 24 is mounted to upper mast 26 by means of clamps 76. Cantilever 24 is constructed conventionally out of three tubular arms 78 connected by struts 80 and tension members 82. A jury mast 40 is supported at the end of cantilever arm 24 by means of (clamps 84. Flashing lamps 38 are mounted to jury mast 40 by conventional arms and clamps or straps generally indicated at 85. A pair of strap hangers 86, 86, best shown in FIGURE 1, are also mounted to jury mast 40. The hangers 86 may be engaged by a pair of hooks 88 (see also FIGURE 3) mounted at the top of the ladder 44.

The upper mast 26 may be rotated with respect to the lower mast 28 by means of the pivot 30, best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Pivot comprises a base pivot head 90 and a top pivot head 92. Pivot heads 90 and 92 may be of cast metal and are ribbed to reduce their weight. Base pivot head 90 is located within lower mast 28 and is fixed thereto by means of screws 94. Top pivot head 92 is fixed to upper mast 26 by means of screws 96. A tubular center shaft 98 is within the top pivot head 92 and base pivot head 90 and is retained therein by means of retaining collars 100, 100. Center shaft 98 is fixed to rotate with upper mast 26 and top pivot head 92. The .pointed ends of screws 96 are arranged to engage center shaft 98 when they are tightened. Base pivot head 90 is arranged to rotate with respect to center shaft 98 and bearing 102 is provided to reduce friction therebetween. A second bearing 104 is mounted between top pivot head 92 and base pivot head 90* as shown. Both bearings are arranged to sustain axial loads. Bearing 104 is arranged to sustain downward axial loads and bearing 102 to sustain upward axial loads.

Base pivot head provides a flange 106 and top pivot head 92 provides a second flange 108.

Flanges 106 and 108 do not frictionally engage due to the axial support provided at bearing 104. However, flanges 106 and 108 are provided with eight bolts 110 which may be tightened to fix the upper mast 26 with respect to the lower mast 28 at any of eight angular positions.

Referring to FIGURE 5, flanges 106 and 108 also provide a housing for a worm gear mechanism, generally indicated at 112. A worm gear 114 is mounted to top pivot head 92 by means of screws 116. It may be rotated by means of a worm 118 mounted on shaft 120. Shaft 120 is mounted in bearings. The bearings are mounted in base pivot head 90 (see FIGURE 4). Worm 118 is keyed to the shaft 120. The end 124 of shaft 120 is provided with a key which may be engaged by crank 126.

As previously stated, in normal operation the cantilever 24 is located over the roadway 42, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. Bolts 110 are tightened to prevent rotation of upper mast 26 with respect to lower mast 28. A ladder 44 is mounted to lower mast 28 and is padlocked thereto. When it is desired to eflect maintenance repair of the flashing lamps 38 or signs (not shown) mounted to the cantilever 24, the maintenance man climbs ladder 44, engages a crank 126 with shaft 120, removes bolts 110, and rotates the cantilever 24 to the side of the road 42, as shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 1. He then replaces the bolts 110 to prevent any rotation of the upper mast 26 and removes the padlock from the hasp 66 and staple 72. The ladder 44 may then be suspended against the cantilever 24 with the books 88 engaged with a hanger 86. After maintenance the ladder is replaced and p-adlocked to the lower mast 28. The bolts 1 10 are removed and the cantilever 24 cranked over the roadway 42, the bolts 110 are then replaced and tightened, and the maintenance man leaves, taking the crank 126 with him.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A railway crossing signal unit comprising:

(A) a vertical lower mast having a lower end anchored to a supporting base;

(B) a vertical upper mast;

(C) a cantilever mounted on said upper mast;

(D) at least one signal mounted to said cantilever;

(E) at least one signal mounted to said lower mast;

and

(F) means for rotating said upper mast with respect to said lower mast;

(G) with said vertical lower mast and said vertical upper mast overlapping one with the other over a short common juxtaposed length of each mast at the upper end of the vertical lower mast and the lower end of the vertical upper mast, within which overlapping length there is positioned the means for rotating said upper mast with respect to said lower mast,

whereby said rotating means is vertically spaced upward above the supporting base by substantially the entire height of the vertical lower mast.

2. The signal unit defined in claim 1 wherein said signals are flashing lamps.

3. The signal unit defined in claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a worm gear mounted to one of said masts and a worm mechanism mounted to the other.

4. The crossing signal unit defined in claim 1, and:

-(G) means for bolting said upper mast to said lower mast.

5. The signal unit defined in claim 1, and:

(G) a ladder; and

(H) means on said lower mast for mounting said ladder thereto.

6. The signal unit defined in claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises:

(a) a center shaft mounted to one of said masts, and

(b) a pair of bearings between said center shaft and said other mast, and

(1) at least one of said bearings mounted to receive both axial and radial forces between said masts.

7. The signal unit defined in claim 6, including:

(A) An upper pivot head mounted to said upper mast,

(B) a lower pivot head mounted to said lower mast,

(C) with the center shaft being mounted to one of said pivot heads and extending into the other,

(D) and with the pair of bearings being mounted between the center shaft and said other pivot head, whereby said center shaft and said bearings provide the overlapping juxtaposition of the two masts and the rotating means positioned therein.

8. The signal mast defined in claim 7, further including:

(A) a worm bear mounted to one of said pivot heads,

and

(B) a worm mechanism engaged therewith mounted to 25 the other of said pivot heads.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,512,496 6/1950 La Piana 211163 2,665,525 1/1954- Youkel's et al. 248145 X 2,694,540 11/1954 Pfafli' 24845 2,950,109 8/1960 Porbush 211-463 X 3,321,160 5/1967 Turnbull 24845 1,354,981 10/1920 McKinZie 246111 1,366,131 1/1921 Packwood 246127 1,378,421 5/1921 Miller.

2,219,757 -10/ 1940 Schleicher 246128 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,206,324 8/ 1959 France.

OTHER REFERENCES Elements of Railway Signaling, Handbook N0. 50, p 804, General Railway Signal Co., Rochester, NY.

JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner.

K. N. LEIMER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 248; 308-227 

